Stropsicle

[seawolf]

Hello all,
Is the stropsicle made from 3/8" double braid as depicted in the Rigger's Apprentice page 97,
strong enough to use as a strop at the top of a 32' foot deck stepped mast, as an attachment for a temporary stay for the swap out of an old jib stay?
I would shackle a 3/8 inch line to this strop and tension below with a block and tackle or come-along.
Or would it be best to make a strop out of amsteel or dyneema?
The strop would be going around the mast with an external mainsail track, so not an entirely smooth surface.
Thanks.
Bob

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
That strop would be something less than half the strength of the full rope. Taking it around the mast results in a shared load between the sides, which brings the strength back up, but it will be knocked back down again by the angle formed between the sides, the radius at the shackle, and loss of efficiency in the knot(s). Don't do it.
We have a variety of ultra-strong mast slings that we use for this purpose, with a Sling Hitch. Look up "Olympic Synthetics" to see examples. Not spendy, and useful for a wide range of things. Alternatively, a very long strop, with multiple turns, would do the job. The tricky bit is getting even tension on all turns.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[seawolf]

Yes,
I guess the math will tell the story.
Thanks again Brion,
I will check out the Olympic Synthetics Site.
Fair winds.
Bob

[seawolf]

Brion,
Is this a custom sling you have made or utilize the flat web slings in certain configurations that are offered by Olympic Synthetics such as the endless web or eye webbing.
My concern is the attachment of the sling that will not slip along the mast as pressure is applied to the temporary stay.
Thanks for your help and keeping us safe.
Bob

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
You can get the slings made to any length and weight, and they keep the more common ones in stock. The continuous ones are cheaper, and would be all you would need. Get one long enough for at least four passes around your mast, and tie a Sling Hitch: use up most of the length making tight, adjacent turns around the spar, then pass the bottom bight up through the top one, and pull down. You'll need to work any slack out, and orient everything so the lead is forward. If you aren't fully confident with this hitch, make it above the upper shroud throughbolt.
Fair leads,
Brion

PS,
Thanks for the kind words